99 Leggie Outback, massive oil leak

[Rooster2]

My OBW just started leaking oil badly. I had no leaks, then a bad leak developed quickly. I crawled underneath to see it is not leaking from the drain plug, or from the oil filter. The oil pan cover seems okay. It seems to be from the front of the engine. It is too cold and windy today to take off the cam covers, but suspect the leak is from there. Maybe the oil seal?? I will pull the cam covers off tomorrow to check. Are there any other suspicious places to look for a massive oil leak??  Thanx!!

Edited November 19, 2016 by Rooster2

[montana tom]

You popped a cam seal or crank seal .  Happens sometimes.  No biggie , if you have a new one use it . Otherwise the old one is most likely just fine.  I use a light coat of aircraft gasket goop on the outside edge and do not drive it all the way to the back of the housing. 

[1 Lucky Texan]

oil sender is on top, kinda under the alternator - worth a look if you think oil is coming downt he front.

[Rooster2]

Thanks guys for the good advise. Tomorrow, I will check it out.

[idosubaru]

cam or crank seal

[turboguzzi]

could be also the usual oil pump seal / bolts coming loose

[Rooster2]

Dug into it a bit yesterday. Appears to be a crank or cam seal. A friend of mine is a good mechanic. He will check it out fully in a couple of days. Timing belt is oil soaked. That will need to be replaced.

 

Thanks for all the good advise.

[Olnick]

Hope all goes well, Rooster.  Let us know what you find--and good luck.

[Rooster2]

A friend who is a good mechanic fixed my Subie. Massive oil leak was from a bad cam seal on driver's side. Luckily, I got the motor shut off in time, before I ran out of oil. Engine sounds great with no knocking noise, so I don't think there is any engine damage.

 

Thanks to all who said it was either a crank or cam seal. You guys know your stuff. That helped to know what to look for. Thanks again !!